Art Institute of Chicago Repatriates 12th-Century Pilaster to Thailand

New provenance research confirms artifact's origins at Phanom Rung temple, enhancing ethical collecting practices.

The pilaster, depicting Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana, was initially thought to be from Cambodia.
Months of research, including a specialist's visit to Thailand, identified its true origin.
This return follows the Art Institute's previous repatriation of a Vishnu lintel to the same temple in 1988.
The museum's ongoing provenance research aims to address historical inaccuracies and ethical concerns.
The Art Institute is also involved in legal disputes over other contested artifacts, including a Nazi-looted watercolor.